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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Attack Bolstered with Addition of Ritola

February 9, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


TAMPA BAY, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, have reassigned forward Mattias Ritola (mat-TEE-uhs RIH-toh-lah) to the Admirals, Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced this afternoon.

Ritola, 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, was claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings by the Lighting on October 6, 2010. In an NHL career-high 24 games since being claimed off waivers, Ritola has registered two goals and six points as a member of the Lightning. He currently ranks second among Tampa Bay rookies in hits with 16, blocked shots with six and takeaways with five. On October 30, Ritola scored his first career NHL goal against the Phoenix Coyotes.

A native of Borlange, Sweden, Ritola has appeared in 31 NHL games with both the Lightning and the Red Wings, scoring two goals and seven points. He was originally a fourth-round draft pick of Detroit in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft (#103 overall).

The fourth-year pro has split time the last four seasons with the Red Wings and the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Last season, Ritola registered 19 goals and 42 points in 73 games as a member of the Griffins, tying for third on the team in scoring. In 211 regular season AHL games, he has registered 41 goals and 106 points. He also registered two points in eight Calder Cup Playoff games.

Prior to making his North American debut, Ritola began his career in his native country, appearing in 30 games with Leksands of the Swedish Elite League and registering three points and 10 penalty minutes. He also skated in 23 games with Leksands following the club's relegation to Sweden's first division, recording two goals and six points. Before turning professional, Ritola played one season in Sweden's top junior league, notching 26 points in 27 games. He also represented Sweden at the 2006 World Junior Championships, registering four points in six games.

The Admirals will return to the ice on Friday and Saturday nights as the Syracuse Crunch visit Scope for the final two times this season. Friday night's matchup will be All-Faith night at Norfolk Scope. For a limited time, special $10 Red Level Tickets are available for groups of all faiths through the Admirals Group Sales Office. All ticket orders are due in to the Admirals office by Noon on Thursday, Feb. 10. To contact the Admirals office, call 757-640-1212.

On Saturday evening, the first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive the second set of 2010-11 Admirals trading cards. After the game on Saturday evening, the Admirals will hold their final post-game skate of the season where fans can skate at Scope with their favorite Admirals following the game. A limited number of skates will be available for rental.

Individual tickets for all regular season games start at just $12. Tickets are available now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

Take advantage of great savings on Admirals tickets with our 10-Packs and group tickets. 10-Packs are available for as little as $110 and allow you to pick the games you want. Group tickets start at $10 for groups of 25 or more people. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.comanytime for more details or to purchase your tickets!

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American Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2011


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